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Nicholas Stoller & Michael Dowse Also in the Running for 'Ant-Man'

Marvel is trying to keep the attention off their struggling Phase Three film Ant-Man following the departure of director Edgar Wright. Since the Shaun of the Dead director walked from the film over creative differences, supposedly resulting from a reworked script that he and co-writer Joe Cornish didn't believe in, directors like Adam McKay, Rawson Marshall Thurber and Ruben Fleischer have been linked to the project. McKay seemed to be the man for the job, but scheduling issues forced him to pass. Now two more names have surfaced: Forgetting Sarah Marshall helmer Nicholas Stoller and Goon director Michael Dowse.

It's not that these two directors aren't talented, but Marvel is starting to really scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to directors who should be directing this movie. Again, the director of Ant-Man at this point only really has to make the non-action scenes work since all the storyboarding and pre-visualization has been done by now. A new director isn't going to change any of the major set pieces or action scenes, so that's why Marvel is looking at comedy directors like this. Marvel Studios likely thinks they can control them without any argument over their script changes that Wright didn't approve.

In addition, though some reports have said that Rawson Marshall Thurber has also already passed on Ant-Man, Deadline says he's still in the running, and is even the favorite at Marvel Studios right now. None of these names do anything to get me excited about Ant-Man, and it would be much better if Marvel just put their tail between their legs and asked Edgar Wright to come back and direct. There's no way a filmmaker and Marvel fan like him can do something so outlandishly outside of the wheelhouse of Marvel that audiences would dislike it. Just let this gifted filmmaker do the job he was originally hired to do.

Nicholas Stoller MAY have the chops for this. But Michael Dowse I don't believe can handle a project of this scope. I've been wrong before.... I vote Adam McKay. It's a safe bet and he has experience with huge budgets.

Here's an idea... STOP SAYING THE SAME SHIT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
FUCKING CHRIST! There's a reason Disqus doesn't let you post EXACTLY the same thing twice. IT's fucking obnoxious. Also your opinion isn't important enough to be read 3 times. Thank you.

shane willett

Well maybe I feel strong about what's happening to a
Potential good movie - more feedback supporting the director
Is fine- I'm only commenting once on each reply jerk off

Michael Dowse gets my vote. The guy knows how to shoot a fight and can work with practical effects.

Alex Williams

disagree. Goon was great but I was even at a Live Q+A with Dowse and he admitted to just assuming that the actors in Goon could skate. All of the leads couldn't skate for shit. He doesn't do enough prep work in his films and just goes with the flow. Stoller I feel puts in that extra effort (maybe not, who the hell knows). Nothing will compare to what Edgar Wright could have done to this film. Either way it doesn't matter who they choose, Marvel is essentially directing the movie.

DAVIDPD

They really want a comedic director for this one, huh?

DAVIDPD

Stoller. Yes.

DJ Jack Ryan Hardy

I don't think Stephen Sommers is busy now.

yomandenver

Shane Willett, tell us how you really feel.

CoosCoos

Without knowing what the changes were, it's a bit unfair for you to continue to take Wright's side on this.

MattPeloquin

This whole fiasco makes me sad. Ant Man and Wasp hold a special place in my heart and have a great story to tell. I agree Ethan, just bring back Wright because at this point no one is going to want to inherit a project like this.

Jameson Cyr

MATTHEW VAUGHN

JakeWhyman

As much as I want Wright back on the project, I'm more than certain that it's not going to happen... So, seeing how Marvel is looking at comedy directors, why not get David Gordon Green? He worked with Rudd before and he knows how to do comedy, make action scenes comedic (Pineapple Express), and knows how to do drama (Joe, Prince Avalanche, Snow Angels). Also, he's not busy with anything that we know of, so he's more than likely available.